Vitamin D in lupus - new kid on the block?
Bull NYU Hosp Jt Dis. 2010;68(3):218-22.
Kamen DL, Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine, Charleston, South Carolina 29425, USA. kamend at musc.edu
Vitamin D is an essential steroid hormone, with well established effects on mineral metabolism, skeletal health, and recently established effects on the cardiovascular and immune systems. Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent and evidence is mounting that it contributes to the morbidity and mortality of multiple chronic diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE avoid the sun because of photosensitive rashes and potential for disease fare, so adequate oral supplementation is critical. This review will describe the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with SLE, identify risk factors for deficiency, describe the consequences of deficiency, and review current vitamin D recommendations for patients with rheumatic diseases. PMID: 20969555